Logan Lann

National

Same-sex Marriage in Iowa

Summary

An Iowa court ruled that same-sex marriage is legal. This ruling was made in response to six same-sex couples who sued in December of 2005. The ruling was made because some believe that the state's constitution's guarantee of equal treatment includes same-sex marriage. This court, at the same time, threw out a law declaring marriage as one man and one woman. The Iowa District Court for Polk County passed the case on to the Iowa Supreme Court for further judgment. Judge Robert Hanson wrote, “ constitutes the most intrusive means by the state to regulate marriage.” The case will under further scrutiny. The backers of the suit said that this is a significant step towards civil rights.

Opinion

This is a load of crap! I mean, seriously! Iowa isn't even a liberal state. What are these people thinking? Have they no intelligence? These people are not republican. I don't care what party they claim, they are not republican. I thought Iowa was a red state. I guess I was wrong. This is not a step towards civil rights; this is a step towards total moral collapse of the country. I'm so pissed off! If Iowa can rule this way, than what will come of supposed less liberal states. This is a truly sad day for this country. Marriage is not a right; it is a privilege. A privilege is something that is given to some, but not others, and for certain (in this case, good), reasons. Marriage is ONE MAN AND ONE WOMAN; AND THAT IS ALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am so pissed off.

National

Contaminated Beef

Summary

Federal and stated officials declared about 20 tons of beef contaminated with E. coli. They sent out an advisory to the public just before a weekend that is known for grilling. Most of the meat is already expired, and thus, off of the shelves, but the government decided to be on the safe side just in the case that some were still in freezers across the nation. Nine counts of people getting sick from the meat have been reported in the northwest region of the country. The threat is not serious, but it is still existent.

Opinion

I am not too worried about the sort of things I put into my body (what little I do), so this does not scare me much. However, I am slightly proud of the government for being on the safe side with the advisory. I am not angry at the people responsible for the contamination because people makes mistakes, everyone.


Inter-National

Train Crash

Summary

A train carrying hundreds of computers collided with an empty train near a train station in Rio de Janeiro on Thursday. This accident, stated officials, killed eight people and wounded sixty. The train was changing tracks when the collision occurred. The computer train was holding about 850 people at the time of the accident. The fire department had to use blow torches to get people out. The government is now trying to prevent another accident.

Opinion

This is mildly boring. It is good that not too many people were killed. The accident could have been much worse. It is unfortunate that this happened in the first place. It is good that the survivors are going to have much support from families. It is also unfortunate that so much property was lost.

Inter-National

Pakistan's ex-P.M. To Home

Summary

In 1999, current Pakistan president General Pervez Musharraf staged a bloodless coup, removing the Prime Minister, Nawaz Sharif. Sharif was exiled from the country, but retained his citizenship. Pakistan's top court ruled that Sharif could return to the country on September 10. Musharraf said that Sharif should not try to reenter the country until ten years after the exile and the he would stop Sharif from returning. Sharif says that he has no “charges of corruption” and intends to return as scheduled.

Opinion

Musharraf should stick by his guns. If the law is that an exile should stay out of the country for ten years, than that's how it should be. The law is the law, and none is above it. I have my doubts if Sharif should be allowed back to the country at all. It depends on why he was exiled in the first place. As far as I know, even though they are not an ally, as long as Musharraf has been president, the country has not been much of a problem. However, I am not really knowledgeable about that.